Empowering Ripple Creek Farm with a Custom Ecommerce Website

At Hampstead Marketing and Design, we believe in empowering small businesses to take control of their online presence. One such business we recently had the pleasure of working with is Ripple Creek Farm, a charming family-owned farm known for raising sheep and crafting handmade soap favors, candles, and other farm-inspired products. The farm had been relying on third-party platforms like Shopify and Etsy to manage their online sales, but these platforms came with high fees and lacked the flexibility Ripple Creek Farm needed to grow.

To give the farm greater control over its business and improve its ecommerce experience, we helped them make the switch to Wix, creating a custom ecommerce website that not only eliminated unnecessary fees but also showcased the farm’s beautiful products and picturesque setting. Here’s how we helped Ripple Creek Farm build a website that’s as unique and vibrant as the products they offer.

The Challenge: Escaping High Fees and Limited Flexibility

While platforms like Shopify and Etsy provided an easy way to get started with selling products online, Ripple Creek Farm found that the high transaction fees and lack of customization were limiting their growth. As a small business, every dollar counts, and they wanted more control over their online store without the constant overhead of platform fees. Additionally, they wanted a more personalized, easy-to-use platform that reflected the farm’s unique story and vibrant products.

Ripple Creek Farm needed:

  • A cost-effective solution without high third-party fees eating into their profits.

  • A platform that was easy to use for both the farm’s team and customers.

  • An ecommerce site that would allow them to sell their handmade soap favors, candles, and farm products while also showcasing the beauty of their farm and family.

  • A visual, vibrant design that told the story of Ripple Creek Farm, its products, and its community.

Our Approach: Transitioning to a Custom Wix Ecommerce Site

After discussing Ripple Creek Farm’s goals and needs, we decided that Wix would be the perfect platform to host their new online store. Wix offers a user-friendly interface, low fees (only credit card transaction fees), and complete control over the site’s design and functionality. Here’s how we approached the project:

1. Designing a Beautiful, Farm-Focused Website

The farm’s website needed to reflect its rustic charm, beautiful setting, and handmade products. We used vibrant, high-quality images of the farm, the family, and the farm’s animals to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. This helped the website feel personal, inviting, and true to the farm’s roots.

  • Stunning Photography: We featured beautiful images of the farm itself, showcasing the sheep, the handmade soap and candles, and the close-knit family that makes it all happen.

  • Farm Story: An "About Us" page was created to tell the story of Ripple Creek Farm, its mission, and its commitment to quality. This added a personal touch to the site, allowing customers to connect with the farm on a deeper level.

2. A User-Friendly Online Store

The primary function of the website was to provide an intuitive and easy-to-navigate online store. We ensured that customers could easily browse through Ripple Creek Farm’s wide range of products, including soap favors, candles, and other farm-made goods. We also made sure the store was optimized for both desktop and mobile users, giving customers a seamless shopping experience no matter what device they were using.

  • Clear Product Categories: We set up clear categories for different product lines, such as soap favors, candles, and farm products, making it simple for customers to find what they were looking for.

  • Detailed Product Pages: Each product page featured detailed descriptions, pricing information, and high-quality images of the products. This helped customers understand what they were purchasing and showcased the beauty and craftsmanship of each item.

  • Simple Checkout Process: We ensured the checkout process was streamlined and easy for customers, with secure payment options that include credit card processing, so Ripple Creek Farm could retain more of their profits without paying high platform commissions.

3. Cost-Effective Solution with Full Control

One of the biggest benefits of moving to Wix was the significant reduction in fees. Unlike Shopify and Etsy, which took commissions on every sale, Wix only charges credit card processing fees—allowing Ripple Creek Farm to keep more of their revenue. We worked with the farm to set up the best payment options for them, including PayPal and Stripe, ensuring a smooth, hassle-free payment process.

  • No Platform Commission Fees: This was a game changer for Ripple Creek Farm, as it allowed them to invest more in growing their business, rather than losing a percentage of each sale to third-party fees.

  • Scalable Platform: Wix offers scalability, meaning as Ripple Creek Farm’s business grows, the site can grow with it—adding new features, products, and integrations as needed.

4. Optimizing for SEO and Customer Engagement

To help Ripple Creek Farm gain visibility and attract more visitors to their site, we implemented SEO best practices throughout the website. This ensured that Ripple Creek Farm would appear in search results when potential customers were looking for handmade soaps, candles, or farm products.

  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO): We optimized product descriptions, titles, and images with relevant keywords, making it easier for customers to find the website when searching online.

  • Blog and Social Media Integration: We encouraged Ripple Creek Farm to share their farm stories, product updates, and special promotions through a blog integrated into the site. We also linked the website to the farm’s social media profiles, helping increase engagement and drive traffic to the site.

The Results: A Vibrant, User-Friendly Ecommerce Site

The new Wix-based website has been a major success for Ripple Creek Farm. Here are some of the positive outcomes of the project:

  • Reduced Fees: Ripple Creek Farm no longer has to pay high commissions to third-party platforms like Shopify and Etsy. The only fees they pay are credit card processing fees, allowing them to retain more of their revenue.

  • Enhanced User Experience: Customers can now easily browse products, view detailed descriptions and images, and make purchases quickly through a clean, easy-to-navigate interface.

  • Increased Visibility: With SEO-optimized product pages and integration with social media, the farm has been able to expand its reach and attract more visitors to the website.

  • Stronger Brand Presence: The website now reflects the unique beauty and charm of Ripple Creek Farm, making it a more personal and engaging experience for customers.

Looking Forward: Continued Growth and Success

We’re thrilled to have helped Ripple Creek Farm move to a platform that empowers them to manage their online store, retain more of their profits, and connect with customers more effectively. As the farm continues to grow and expand, the Wix platform offers the flexibility and scalability they need to add new products, content, and features without the constraints of third-party platforms.

If you’re a small business owner looking to build a custom ecommerce website that puts you in control, Hampstead Marketing and Design is here to help. Whether you’re transitioning from another platform or starting fresh, we can create a solution tailored to your unique needs.

Contact us today to discuss how we can help your business grow with a beautiful, cost-effective website that works for you!


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jennifer Lleras